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Microsoft publishes first Windows 8.1 commercial

by Mark Tyson on 30 September 2013, 09:45

Tags: Windows 8

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The launch and general availability of Windows 8.1 is now less than three weeks away. At the weekend we saw Microsoft’s first video advert for the new operating system. The new 30 second commercial is entitled “Windows 8.1 Everywhere,” - that must be what the folk at Redmond are hoping for. I’ve embedded the video below for you to take a look.

Microsoft’s brief new advert doesn’t have time to get into any of the under-the-hood improvements the firm has talked about, which arrive with Windows 8.1, but just concentrates on the modern user interface (MUI). The video starts by showing some new ways to open the computer lock-screen. Then immediately we see the new start button in place.

The personalisation options on the start screen are next in the spotlight as the video shows Windows tiles made much larger and smaller than was possible before. Users can really heavily emphasise their favourite tiles now for utility or simply for simply decoration. The smallest tiles might also help you cram all the programs you ever use onto the Start Screen without needing to horizontally scroll.

“You can do it all simpler and easier,” the voice over tells us. Then we see the new split screen multitasking abilities and options demonstrated allowing users of a Windows 8.1 “tablet, PC or Surface,” (is that Microsoft’s new order of priorities?) to work and play at the same time. Further emphasising the Windows over several devices idea, the advert ends with the strapline “One experience for everything in your life”.

Three apps at once

Remember all Windows 8 owners can upgrade to Windows 8.1 for free from 17/18th October. The OS will also be sold as a download and retail box standalone product, not requiring a copy of Windows 8 already installed. US pricing for retail Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro is set at $119.99 and $199.99 respectively. In the UK the prices have been set at £75 and £125 respectively.



HEXUS Forums :: 9 Comments

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I see in the advert they still have that snap to side thing.

Have you ever tried it on a dual screen setup? I just can't get it to work, I can not snap anything on the same screen, just on the far left or right of each monitor but nothing on the same monitor. Hope they have fixed that or something can explain where I am going wrong.
Jonj:

If you're on about the MUI snapping, I think you can only snap apps on a single monitor, as the 2nd monitor will default to the desktop.

If you mean the old desktop snap, for example, 2 word documents open side-by-side, you'll need to use the “Win+Arrow Key” shortcuts to snap properly.

In my setup I have 2 monitors, main monitor in front and 2nd monitor on the right. If I want to snap the word docs on my main monitor, I can drag the first onto the left side of my main monitor and it'll snap in place, but for the 2nd doc it would just move onto the 2nd monitor. To get around this, I use the Win+Right Arrow combination which would snap it to the right side of the monitor.

If anyone else knows a better way, please share it and let us all know!

Hope that helps,
M_Taylor40
Looks good
Jonj1611
I see in the advert they still have that snap to side thing.

Have you ever tried it on a dual screen setup? I just can't get it to work, I can not snap anything on the same screen, just on the far left or right of each monitor but nothing on the same monitor. Hope they have fixed that or something can explain where I am going wrong.

M_Taylor40
J
If anyone else knows a better way, please share it and let us all know!


If mouse control isn't accurate enough then using the Windows key + cursor arrows is the best way I think. It works great for me using 3 screens.
I have never got it to work for dual screens with the mouse, don't think it is to do with accuracy, more the fact it just doesn't work with two screens that well.

I will try the keys method.